Dale Beatty, Who Lost His Legs but Helped Hundreds of Veterans, Dies

Dale Beatty, an Army veteran from Statesville who lost both legs beneath the knees in Iraq and devoted his life to helping other vets, died unexpectedly Monday at age 39, his nonprofit organization said Monday. "It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the sudden passing of our beloved Co-Founder, Dale Beatty," Purple Heart Homes said on Facebook and Twitter. "None of the family, staff, or friends were prepared for this great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dale's wife and family." No cause of death has been released, and Purple Heart Homes said arrangements for Beatty's service are still being arranged. Beatty and John Gallina, also from Statesville, were wounded when a mine detonated through the floor of their Humvee in northern Iraq in 2004. Gallina suffered brain trauma. The two friends were in high school when they enlisted in the North Carolina National...